Two pilots of a U.S. Army helicopter were dramatically rescued Monday after their aircraft crashed after being shot down near the Strait of Hormuz.
U.S. Central Command announced: “At 7:33 p.m. ET on June 8, two crew members from a U.S. Army AH-64 Apache were rescued by American forces after their helicopter went down near the coast of Oman while patrolling regional waters.
“The Soldiers were safely rescued within approximately two hours and are in stable condition. The cause of the incident is under investigation.
“Rescue efforts were led by U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and the 82nd Airborne Division, with support from U.S. Air Force and Navy units including U.S. 5th Fleet’s Task Force 59.”
Task Force 59 is the Navy’s first-ever drone task force.
The unmanned surface vessel, a Saronic Corsair, located the Apache crew, who had spent two hours in the waters off the coast of Oman and brought them to shore https://t.co/2ioXSuxX68 @jmalsin @shelbyholliday pic.twitter.com/Y56VXSlOyo
— Dave Brown (@dave_brown24) June 9, 2026
Martha Raddatz of ABC News reported: “An unmanned Navy surface vessel, a drone boat was sent to pick up the downed crew.
.@ABC News’ @MarthaRaddatz details the latest on a U.S. Army helicopter that went down near the Strait of Hormuz. pic.twitter.com/wmkWwtargG
— Good Morning America (@GMA) June 9, 2026
“The crew was able to climb aboard the boat which then delivered them to shore. All of this happened within two hours of the helicopter going down.”
On Tuesday, Trump said on Truth Social: “I have just been informed by our Great Military that last night the Iranians shot down one of our highly sophisticated Apache Helicopters while patrolling over the Strait of Hormuz. There were two pilots involved, both are safe and uninjured. Nevertheless, the United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
When asked about the incident Monday night, President Donald Trump told reporters: “The pilots are fine. Nobody injured.”
WATCH:
🚨 JUST IN: US Army crew RESCUSED and SAFE after an AH-64 Apache went down near the coast of Oman during patrol, CENTCOM confirms
Two crew members CONFIRMED safe, the rescue was within 2 hours
Great news! 🙏🏻
“At 7:33 p.m. ET on June 8, two crew members from a U.S. Army AH-64… pic.twitter.com/MX92NHfV1L
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) June 9, 2026
On Monday, Trump indicated negotiations with Iran were continuing, and there was a “good chance” of reaching a peace deal within “two or three days.”
“I think we’re very close to having a very, very good, strong, powerful deal,” the president said.
A U.S. Army Apache helicopter went down near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday. Here’s what we know. pic.twitter.com/tIDcobWqIA
— Trey Yingst (@TreyYingst) June 9, 2026
“If we go and bomb, which we could do very easily if we want, and we spend another two or three weeks bombing, they’ll have nothing left whatsoever. But you won’t have the strait open for months.”
U.S. forces across the Middle East remain vigilant and ready. pic.twitter.com/EG9ozG1BAQ
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) June 7, 2026
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